The downtrodden record industry is gearing up for a big moves come this holiday season. The move is aimed at increasing record sales in retail stores by selling the music on mini, fingernail sized flash cards. These cards will be able to “loaded into some mobile phones, digital music players and car stereos.” You heard it right and word (according to the LA Times) is that Best Buy and Wal Mart will be selling them before the holiday season swoops in.

And this is not only a scheme derived by one label. All four major labels are embracing this new packaging/marketing scheme. As for what music will be showing up on flash drive, according to the LA Times, Akon’s new album will be released in this format.

Well, here’s my take on it: I hate the idea of this. I don’t think it’s going to do well at all. It doesn’t even seem convenient. As far as I can see, selling music in retail is a lost cause. The music business is quickly becoming 100% digital, which is disappointing… to me.

Now, I may just be thinking this way because, personally, I enjoy physically owning a CD. I enjoy driving to the record store, purchasing the album, taking great precision as I open it in my car, and listening to the first notes as I struggle horribly to get the insert booklet out to read. To this date, I’ve only purchased one song through iTunes and I intend to keep it that way. Now, don’t get me wrong, the internet and digital music is an amazing outlet to hear and discover new music, but I don’t think anything can replace the aesthetic appeal of actually buying an album that you can hold.

Luckily, this new slotMusic hasn’t became too popular yet. What are your thoughts on the subject? Would you buy albums in fingernail-sized flash cards?

Posted by Joe.